On Sunday, May 25, 2014 race fans watched the second-closest margin of victory in the history at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; when Hunter-Reay drove his No. 28 Andretti Autosport DHL Honda to a narrow victory over three-time "500" winner Helio Castroneves by only .0600 of a second. Hunter-Reay took the lead for good from Castroneves on Lap 199 to become the first American to win "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" since Sam Hornish Jr. in 2006.
This week, Ryan Hunter-Reay experienced one of the greatest spoils of victory for winning the 2014 Indianapolis 500; seeing his likeness on the famed Borg-Warner Trophy. Now, Ryan Hunter-Reay joins an elite group of racers that date back to 1911 when Ray Harroun won the Indianapolis 500. "It is a lifelong dream come true to see my face accompany those of racing's greatest drivers on the Borg-Warner Trophy," said Hunter-Reay. "Being one of the 101 faces on the trophy is quite humbling. It will always be part of history and a moment I will remember forever. Now that I am part of the permanent trophy, the next exciting step is to receive my Baby Borg in January. I can't wait to receive it and take it back to Florida to share with Beccy and Ryden!"
Among the 101 bas-relief images adorning the Borg-Warner Trophy, all are drivers, except for one. In tribute to his rejuvenation of the track and Indianapolis 500 following World War II, a 24-karat gold likeness of late Speedway Owner and President Anton "Tony" Hulman, Jr., was also added in 1988. In 1924 and 1941, two drivers shared the victory and a spot on the trophy, one for starting the race and the other for finishing it. Two bases have been added to the original trophy, providing added capacity for more winners until 2034.
"Ryan Hunter-Reay won the 2014 Indianapolis 500 in thrilling fashion, with the second-closest margin of victory in the event's history," said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. "Ryan is a great competitor and a fantastic driver, so it's wonderful that his face will be immortalized on the Borg-Warner Trophy for winning 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.' He also now holds a unique piece of '500' history in being the first of our next hundred honored on the Trophy."
Who will the next winner of the Indianapolis 500 be? You'll have to join us at the upcoming race in May to find out - See You There!
Getting There:
To order race tickets for all the action at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway call 1-800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 or visit www.ims.com/tickets.